Bombardier Lake Louise Winterstart organizers received approval from the International Ski Federation (FIS) to proceed with the opening speed races of the World Cup season after an inspection of snow conditions today at the Lake Louise Ski Area.

FIS Race Director Helmut Schmalzl, Men’s weekend Chief of Race Darryl MacLachlan and others participated in the annual inspection, known by organizers as “snow control.”

“We are very pleased with today’s decision by FIS and excited about the conditions for the upcoming men’s World Cup races in Lake Louise,” said MacLachlan, following the approval of snow control, which is required before races can proceed.

“We have had excellent cooperation from management and staff at Lake Louise Ski Area as we prepared for today and I also commend the many hours of work put in by the Sled Dogs, our hard-working volunteers, to get us to where we are at,” MacLachlan said.

The Bombardier Lake Louise Winterstart is Canada’s classic ski race, renowned internationally as the kick off event of the men’s and ladies World Cup speed discipline season.

Organizers expect ski racers from 21 nations to compete this year, with the men’s downhill and super G races scheduled for Nov. 28 and 29 while two ladies downhill events take place Dec. 4 and 5 and a super G on Dec. 6.

As for the Canadians, there have been a total of six podium results by Canadians in the last three years including a super-G win by John Kucera in 2006 and downhill victory by Jan Hudec in 2007.

Lake Louise is also the first North American resort ever to be named into the prestigious Club 5+, the organization that brings together the most famous and historic World Cup alpine racing courses in the world.

Snow control for Ladies weekend will take place later this month.